When Your Thoughts Scare You—The Truth About Intrusive Thoughts
Let’s get this out of the way—if you've ever had a thought that made you stop in your tracks and whisper to yourself, “What is wrong with me?”—you’re not alone. You’re not dangerous. You’re not broken. You’re human.
Intrusive thoughts. That’s the clinical name. But what it feels like? Like your brain has turned on you. Like you’re a monster. Like no one could ever understand the weird, dark, disturbing things that just flash through your mind.
Thoughts like—What if I dropped this baby?
What if I swerved the car into oncoming traffic?
What if I want to hurt someone I love?
What if I’m secretly a bad person and no one knows?
Here’s the truth: intrusive thoughts are not intentions. They’re not secrets trying to get out. They’re not signs of who you are deep down. They’re brain spam. They pop up out of nowhere, especially when we’re stressed, anxious, grieving, sleep-deprived, or scared.
And because they scare us, we focus on them. We replay them. We try to push them away. And that’s when they start to stick. That’s when they spiral. That’s when you start doubting your own safety, your own mind.
Here’s what no one tells you: the more upset you are by a thought, the less likely it reflects your true desire. People with intrusive thoughts aren’t predators. They’re protectors. People who care deeply about not hurting others. People who want to be good, safe, kind, and strong.
So what do you do with these thoughts?
Name them. Say it: “That’s an intrusive thought.” Don’t engage. Don’t argue. Just label it and move on.
Don’t give it power. Let it pass like a cloud in the sky. You don’t have to grab it. You don’t have to analyze it.
Talk to someone safe. A trauma-informed therapist can help. You don’t have to carry this in silence. You don’t have to be afraid of your mind.
Know your triggers. Trauma. Burnout. OCD. Postpartum. Grief. These can crack the door open for these thoughts to rush in. If that’s you, this is your sign to seek support. Healing is not out of reach.
If your brain is loud right now, if you're scared of your own thoughts—pause. Breathe. This doesn’t define you. And you’re not walking this alone.
You’re allowed to heal. You’re allowed to be seen.